Configuring flow paths of an HVAC system

ABSTRACT

Configuration of flow paths for the output (e.g., chilled or heated air) of an HVAC system is described. In one embodiment, a demand response message can be received from a resource provider requesting that the HVAC system increase or decrease consumption of the resource. If the request is satisfied, then the output from the HVAC device will be increased or decreased resulting in potential discomfort for occupants. This output, however, rather than being distributed in a uniform manner, can instead be distributed, via ventilation elements of the HVAC system in a non-uniform way according to the flow paths. The flow paths can be determined to direct sufficient output to high priority zones in order to, e.g., satisfy a comfort level in the high priority zones.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to systems, apparatus, and methodsfor configuring flow paths of a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system, and in particular, configuring flow pathsthat can reduce discomfort of occupants when modifying resourceconsumption of the HVAC system to satisfy a demand response request fromthe resource provider.

BACKGROUND

Due to variances in supply and demand, providers of electricity andother resources can provide demand response signals to customer devices(e.g., air conditioning units, heating units, or other HVAC devices).These demand response signals can include a request that customerdevices modify the amount of electricity being consumed. For singlestage devices, a request from the electricity provider to reduceconsumption can be satisfied by turning the customer device off orchanging the device's temperature setpoint. More modern customer deviceshave multiple stages, so instead of switching on/off, the device canoperate at variable speed or variable power or some other setting.Operating at half-power, or another stage, can satisfy the provider'srequest by using less electricity without requiring the device to beshut off entirely.

SUMMARY

The following presents a summary to provide a basic understanding of oneor more embodiments of the invention. This summary is not intended toidentify key or critical elements, or delineate any scope of theparticular embodiments or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose isto present concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the moredetailed description that is presented later.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system cancomprise a memory that stores computer executable components and aprocessor that executes computer executable components stored in thememory. The computer executable components can comprise an interfacecomponent that can receive demand response data from a resourceprovider. The demand response data can comprise a request that aresource consumption device of a heating, ventilation, or airconditioning (HVAC) system modify consumption of a resource according toa recommended value. The computer executable components can comprise acontrol component that can instruct the resource consumption device toupdate consumption of the resource from a previous value to therecommended value. Such can result in a change in the output of the ofthe resource consumption device. The computer executable components canfurther comprise a flow management component that can determine flowdata indicative of a flow path of a ventilation system of the HVACsystem, wherein the flow path is determined as a function of changedata, zone data, and priority data. The change data can berepresentative of a change in output provided by the resourceconsumption device in response to changing consumption of the resourceto the recommended value. The zone data can be representative ofphysical zones of a structure serviced by the HVAC system. The prioritydata can be representative of priority values assigned to respectivephysical zones of the structure.

In some embodiments, elements described in connection with the systemcan be embodied in different forms such as a computer-implementedmethod, a computer program product, or another form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting systemthat can be configured to determine a flow path of resource consumptiondevice output that reduces discomfort of occupants in the face of ademand response request from a resource provider in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example system depictingadditional aspects or elements in connection with determining orinferring change data in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example system illustratingadditional aspects or elements in connection with determining orinferring zone data in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example system depictingadditional aspects or elements in connection with determining orinferring priority data in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of an example system that illustrates twoconcrete examples of determining flow data in response to a demandresponse request in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter;

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of an example system that illustrates anexample of adjusting the recommended value based on a sufficiencydetermination in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 7A-B illustrate block diagrams of example architecturalimplementations that can be employed in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method that can determine a flow path of resourceconsumption device output that reduces discomfort of occupants inresponse to a demand response request from a resource provider inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method that can provide for additional aspects orelements in connection with determining the flow path of resourceconsumption device output in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limitingoperating environment in which one or more embodiments described hereincan be facilitated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

The following detailed description is merely illustrative and is notintended to limit embodiments and/or application or uses of embodiments.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied information presented in the preceding Background or Summarysections, or in the Detailed Description section.

Due in part to the proliferation of multistage resource consumptiondevices (e.g., air conditioner, heat pump, heater, etc.) of a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, demand responsemessages from providers of resources have evolved to make better use ofthe multistage devices. For example, when single stage devices were thetarget, demand response messages often simply requested that consumptionof the resource be reduced, which could only be accomplished by poweringdown the single stage device for a period of time. However, formultistage devices, demand response messages can request that a resourceconsumption device reduce consumption of the resource by a specifiedamount (e.g., 10%, 25%, 50%, 80%, etc.).

Such was believed to represent a viable compromise between the providerrequesting a reduction in demand for the resource and a level of comfortof the customer. For example, suppose a resource provider transmits ademand response request to customers, requesting that consumption bereduced by 50% on a hot, summer day in which energy demand is very high.A multistage air conditioner consuming the electricity at full potentialcan be switched to another stage that reduces the amount or rate ofconsumption by half or some other value. In that case, the resourceprovider is benefited by a reduction in demand of the resource and theresource customer can contribute to that reduction in demand withoutbeing forced to choose to either ignore the provider's request or gowithout any air conditioning at all.

In certain resource markets, resource providers can receive subsidies orother benefits from regulatory agencies if a high proportion ofcustomers enroll in programs, such as demand response programs. Thus, byencouraging customers to enroll or opt-in to a demand response program,resource providers can be benefited in terms of both satisfyingregulatory agency standards as well as increasing the effectiveness ofdemand response messages, since more customers enrolled in a demandresponse program can mean any request to modify resource consumptionwill be met with higher response rates.

Likewise, customers often receive incentives from resource providers toenroll in such programs, such as lower prices or other incentives. Evenso, in the days of single stage devices, when the choice was ignore therequest from the resource provider or turn off the air conditioner andsuffer, program enrollment tended to be very low. More recently, withmultistage devices being more common now and in the future, programenrollment has gradually improved. However, even with multistagedevices, certain issues arise in previous systems.

For example, while it may be possible to satisfy a demand responserequest from the energy provider without going entirely without airconditioning, a multistage device operating at half-power may not besufficient satisfy a particular thermostat set point or satisfy othercustomer comfort level expectations. For instance, a house or otherstructure set to 76 degrees may rise to 80 degrees when the associatedair condition is consuming 50% of the maximum setting. Hence, everyonein the house is likely to have some discomfort, even if that discomfortis less than when shutting the air condition unit off.

The disclosed subject matter, in some embodiments, can mitigate theseand other issues. For example, techniques disclosed herein can allowHVAC devices to make more efficient use of output provided by the airconditioning device or other resource consumption devices. For instance,it is unlikely that an air conditioning device operating at half-powercan maintain the entire home or other building or structure at a desiredtemperature. However, the air conditioner operating at half-power mightbe capable of maintaining the desired temperature in some portions ofthe home, provided the output of the air condition (e.g., chilled air)is focused on the those portions instead of being distributed throughoutthe entire home.

Hence, in some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter can react to ademand response message from a resource provider by determining flowdata. This flow data can be indicative of a flow path of the output ofthe resource consumption device. Specifically, the flow path can route asufficient amount of the output to designated high priority zones inorder to maintain a particularly level of comfort in those high priorityzones. The remainder of the output from the resource consumption device,if any, can be routed to designated low priority zones.

Continuing the above example in which the air condition switches to ahalf-power mode based on a demand response message from the energyprovider, the following can be observed. In other systems that do notemploy the disclosed techniques, all occupants of the home are likely toexperience some level of discomfort as the interior temperatureincreases in a relatively uniform way from the set point setting of 76degrees to 80 degrees. In contrast, by employing the disclosedtechniques, the high priority zones can be a function of occupancy.Thus, the zones or rooms of the home having occupants, which might beonly a small fraction of the entire home, can likely be maintained atthe comfort setting of 76 degrees. In that case, the customer mightexperience no discomfort at all and may not even notice his or her airconditioner is operating at a reduced load.

Such can be advantageous for several reasons. For instance, aside fromthe increased comfort available to the customer, the customer is muchmore likely to enroll in demand response programs offered by theresource provider since it is no longer necessary to sacrifice comfortin order to obtain cost savings or other incentives from the program.

For the sake of clarity, the description herein focuses on an airconditioning device that consumes electricity to produce chilled airoutput. However, it is understood that the disclosed subject matter canbe applicable to any suitable resource consumption device (e.g., heater,boiler, air conditioner, heat pump, etc.) that consumes any suitableresource (e.g., water, air, gas, electricity, steam (WAGES), etc.)and/or that generates or conveys any suitable output, typically a fluidoutput (e.g., chilled air/water, heated air/water, steam, etc.) having aflow path through a ventilation system (e.g., ducts, pipes, etc.) thatcan be manipulated.

It is further noted that the disclosed subject matter is not limited toload shed requests from the resource provider. Rather, the disclosedsubject matter can be exceedingly useful in connection with “load up”events, in which the resource provider requests that customers increaseresource consumption. Load up events can occur when there is excesscapacity that can arise due to, e.g., solar or wind-powered grids, orother sources or events. When there is excess capacity, the resourceprovider may attempt to use that excess capacity while it available inorder to reduce demand at a later time, such as a time when no excesscapacity exists. In that regard, in warmer seasons or climates, an airconditioner might be instructed to switch on and operate at full power,even though the temperature of the home is presently at or below adesired set point. Likewise, in cooler seasons or climates, a heatermight be instructed to switch on and operate at full power, even thoughthe temperature of the home is presently at or above a desired setpoint. Thus, the heater heating the home operates as a thermal battery,just as the air conditioner chilling the home operates as a thermalsink. In either case, such can introduce a longer delay before athermostat triggers further heating or cooling.

In other words, by further raising the temperature of the home, the homecan operate as a thermal battery/storage. By further lowering thetemperature of the home, the home can operate as a thermal sink/drain.For energy efficient homes, overheating or overcooling a home at timesof excess capacity can significantly reduce expected near-term futureuse of the resource, which may coincide with or overlap a peak loadperiod.

Unfortunately, load up events can also cause occupants of the home toexperience discomfort. However, such can be remedied by the disclosedsubject matter in a similar manner. For example, the output of theresource consumption device can be manipulated such that high priorityzones can be maintained at a temperature consistent with a comfortsetting, and low priority zones receive the excess, which may result ina larger temperature differential between the high priority zones andthe low priority zones.

Example Systems

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of anexample, non-limiting system 100. System 100 can be configured todetermine a flow path of resource consumption device output that reducesdiscomfort of occupants in the face of a demand response request from aresource provider in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter. System 100 can comprise a processor and amemory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, facilitate performance of operations. Examples of saidprocessor and memory, as well as other suitable computer orcomputing-based elements, can be found with reference to FIG. 10, andcan be used in connection with implementing one or more of the systemsor components shown and described in connection with FIG. 1 or otherfigures disclosed herein.

In this example, system 100 can include interface component 102, controlcomponent 116, and flow management component 122, which are furtherdetailed below. Interface component 102 can be configured to communicatesignals or messages to or from resource provider 104. For instance,interface component 104 can receive demand response data 106, which cancomprise a request that one or more resource consumption device 108modify consumption of resource 112 according to a recommended value 114.For instance, recommended value 114 can indicate that resourceconsumption device 108 is to reduce consumption of resource 112 by somepercentage (e.g., 30%, 50%, 75%, etc.) of full capacity. As illustrated,resource consumption device 108 can be a component of heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 110. In someembodiments, resource consumption device 108 can be a variable speeddevice and/or a dual-stage or multistage device.

Control component 116 can be configured to instruct resource consumptiondevice 108 to update consumption of resource 112, which is illustratedby update consumption message 118. For instance, control component 116can instruct resource consumption device 108 to update consumption ofresource 112 from previous value 120 (e.g., a value associated with asetting prior to receiving demand response data 106 and/or prior to anupdate consumption message 118 iteration). It is appreciated thatcontrol component 116 can update or modify recommended value 114 to maprecommended value 114 to a setting determined to be supported byresource consumption device 108.

Flow management component 122 can be configured to determine flow data124, which can be provided to ventilation system 126 (e.g., a controllerof ventilation system 126) and/or to a controller of HVAC system 110.Flow data 124 can be indicative of a flow path 128 of ventilation system126. For example, output 130 from resource consumption device 108 isreceived by ventilation system 126. In other systems, similar output isdistributed relatively uniformly throughout a home. In contrast,however, in some embodiments, ventilation system 126 can distributeoutput 130 in a non-uniform way according to flow path 128, which isfurther detailed in connection with FIG. 5, infra.

Flow data 124, which can describe flow path 128, can be determined byflow management component 122 based on, or as a function of, change data132, zone data 134, priority data 136, or other suitable data (e.g.,weather forecasts, thermodynamics, etc.). Change data 132 can berepresentative of a change in output 130 provided by the resourceconsumption device 108 in response to changing consumption of resource112 from previous value 120 to recommended value 114. Additional detailrelating to change data 132 can be found with reference to FIG. 2.

Zone data 134 can be representative of physical zones of a structureserviced by HVAC system 110. The structure can be, e.g., home/house,office, or other building or any suitable space operatively coupled toventilation system 126. An illustration of a suitable structure andadditional detail regarding zone data 134 is further detailed withreference to FIG. 3.

Priority data 136 can be representative of priority values assigned torespective physical zones of the structure. Additional detail relatingto priority data 136 can be found in connection with FIG. 4.

While still referring to FIG. 1, but turning now as well to FIG. 2, ablock diagram of system 200 is depicted. System 200 illustratesadditional aspects or elements in connection with determining orinferring change data 132 in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. It should be understood that in thediscussion of the present embodiment and of embodiments to follow,repetitive description of like elements employed in the variousembodiments described herein is omitted for sake of brevity.

System 200 can include all or a portion of system 100, as well as anyother suitable component or element detailed herein. As illustrated,resource consumption device 108 consumes resource 112 and in responsegenerates output 130. Upon receipt of demand response data 106, system100 (e.g., control component 116) can facilitate the update of resourceconsumption device 108 to consume a different amount of resource 112.Consuming a different amount of resource 112 can affect output 130.Typically, reducing consumption of resource 112 results in a reduced (orless concentrated or effective) output 130, whereas increasingconsumption of resource 112 results in increased output 130.

As noted in connection with FIG. 1, control component 116 can provideupdate consumption message 118, which can instruct resource consumptiondevice 108 to modify consumption of resource 112 from previous value 120to recommended value 114. When set according to recommended value 114(e.g., recommended by resource provider 104), resource consumptiondevice 108 consumes an amount of resource 112 that results in what isreferred to herein as first output 202. Likewise, second output 204 isreferred to as output 130 generated when resource consumption device 108consumes resource 112 at a rate indicated by previous value 120. In someembodiments, system 100 (e.g., flow management component 122) candetermine first output 202 and/or second output 204 based on knowninformation or measure the values during operation.

In some embodiments, system 100 (e.g., flow management component 116)can determine changes data 132 as a difference between first output 202and second output 204. In other words, change data 132 can represent thedifference between output 130 that, after update consumption message118, will be received by ventilation system 126 and output 130 that waspreviously received by ventilation system 126.

It is understood that in cases where demand response data 106 is a loadup event 206 (e.g., resource provider 104 requests increasedconsumption), recommended value 114 can be higher than previous value120 and first output 202 can be higher than second output 204.Conversely, when demand response data 106 is a load shed event 208(e.g., resource provider 104 requests decreased consumption),recommended value 114 can be lower than previous value 120 and firstoutput 202 can be lower than second output 204. In either case, system100 can determine change data 132 as first output 202 minus secondoutput 204 or similar. Additional examples of change data 132 areillustrated in connection with FIG. 5.

While still referring to FIG. 1, but turning now as well to FIG. 3, ablock diagram of system 300 is depicted. System 300 illustratesadditional aspects or elements in connection with determining orinferring zone data 134 in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. System 300 can include all or a portion ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1 or other suitable components or elements. Inaddition, system 300 can include zone component 310. Zone component 310can be configured to determine zone data 134. Recall, zone data 134 canbe representative of physical zones of a structure 301 (e.g., home,office, or other building) serviced by HVAC system 110 and/orventilation system 126.

In this example, structure 301 comprises seven rooms apportioned betweentwo zones 302. Zone one 302 ₁ comprises rooms 1-4 and is serviced byventilation subsystem 306 ₁. Zone two 302 ₂ comprises rooms 5-7 and isserviced by ventilation subsystem 306 ₂. Zones 302 can be configurableto varying degrees of granularity depending on implementation. Forinstance, in some embodiments, zones 302 can be specified for eachportion of structure 301 having a dedicated ventilation subsystem 306and/or a designated flow path 303 and return 304. Additionally oralternatively, ventilation system 126 can comprise one or more damperdevice(s) 308. A given damper device 308 can be situated within a ductor pipe of flow path 303 and/or return 304 of ventilation system 126 (orventilation subsystem 306), and can be configured to open to allow orincrease flow or to close to decrease or halt flow. Employing dampers308 typically can afford finer granularity with respect designatingzones 302.

In some embodiments, a zone 302 can represent a single room, while inother embodiments a zone 302 can encompass multiple rooms. In the lattercase, it is understood that, in some embodiments, the multiple rooms arenot required to be adjacent to one another, but rather can be atopposite ends of structure 301 or any configuration for a givenimplementation. However, regardless of implementation, zones 302 can bespecified by a user (e.g., input to a user interface) or determined byzone component 310 based on a configuration of ventilation system 126,HVAC system 110, and/or structure 301 as well as based on the inputspecified by the user. In some embodiments, zones 302 can beautomatically configured and updated based on time of day and/or inconjunction with a schedule or calendar. This schedule or calendar canbe input by the user or determined based on monitoring of occupantroutines that can be performed by sensing devices. For example, zonescomponent 310 can configure zones 302 based on room occupancy. In someembodiments, room occupancy can be determined by a sensing device, andsuch can be employed to establish a routine of the occupants as well asa current occupancy state, which is further detailed in connection withFIG. 4.

Still referring to FIG. 1, but referring now as well to FIG. 4, a blockdiagram of system 400 is depicted. System 400 illustrates additionalaspects or elements in connection with determining or inferring prioritydata 136 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter. System 400 can include all or a portion of system 100 ofFIG. 1 or other suitable components or elements. In addition, system 400can include priority component 402. Priority component 402 can includeall or portions of zone component 310 or be integrated with zonecomponent 310. Priority component 402 can be configured to determine orgenerate priority data 136. As detailed herein, priority data 136 can berepresentative of priority values assigned to respective physical zones302 of structure 301.

In some embodiments, priority component 402 can determine priority data136 in response to an examination of occupancy data. Occupancy data canrepresent a current or forecasted occupancy state with respect to zones302. By way of illustration, zones 302 with a current or forecasted highnumber of occupants can be assigned higher priority, whereas zones 302with few or no occupants (either current or forecasted) can be assignedlower priority.

In some embodiments, priority component 402 can generate priority data136 in response to input 404 to user interface device 406. By way ofexample, input 404 can be an order or hierarchy of zones 302 that isspecified by a user or received in some other manner. As anotherexample, input 404 can be a calendar or schedule specified by the user.It is understood that input 404 can be directly provided by a user ormay be passively input or determined/inferred based on behavior oractivity, either of which may be employed to determine occupancy data.

Additionally or alternatively, priority component 402 can generatepriority data 136 and/or occupancy data in response to monitoring ofstructure 301 by sensing device 408. Sensing device 408 can be, e.g., amotion sensor, a heat sensor, an infrared sensor, an acoustic sensor, orthe like. In some embodiments, sensing device 408 can be alocation-based sensor that relies on passive or active beacons (e.g.,radio frequency identification (RFID)), signal range (e.g., near fieldcommunication (NFC) or Bluetooth®), and/or trilateration (e.g., wirelessfidelity (Wi-Fi) or global positioning satellite (GPS)) to determineoccupancy data. In some embodiments, sensing device 408 can monitoractivity associated with other devices within structure 301 to determineoccupancy data (e.g., lights and television in a zone 302 are turned onand/or consuming power).

With reference now to FIG. 5, a block diagram of system 500 is depicted.System 500 illustrates two concrete examples of determining flow data inresponse to a demand response request in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In that regard, the upperportion of FIG. 5 illustrates a first example in which demand responsedata 106 is indicative of a load up event 206. The lower portion of FIG.5 illustrates a second example in which demand response data 106 isindicative of a load shed event 208. It is understood that system 500can include all or portions of systems 100, 300, 400, or othercomponents or elements detailed herein.

When resource provider 104 requests system 500 to increase consumptionof resource 112 or load up, system 500 (e.g., control component 116) canrespond by instructing resource consumption device 108 load up 502. Loadup 502 can be a special case of update consumption request 118 in whichrecommended value 114 is higher than previous value 120. In that casefirst output 202 can be greater than second output 204 that was beingprovided by resource consumption device 108 when operating according toprevious value 120.

System 500 (e.g., flow management component 122) can further determineflow data 124. In this case, such is represented by load up flow data124 ₁. An advantage of the techniques detailed herein is thatventilation system 126 can distribute first output 202 throughoutstructure 301 in a non-uniform manner. Leveraging that observation, loadup flow data 124 ₁ can include two or more independent flow paths orgroups of flow paths. In some embodiments, flow management component 122can determine a flow path for each specified zone 302 of structure 301.

To illustrate further, flow management component 122 can determine oneor more normal flow path(s) configured to transport, via ventilationsystem 126, normal output 504 to a one or more high priority zone(s)506. High priority zones 506 can be zones 302 that were assigned a highpriority value, characterized as being greater than a defined threshold.Normal output 504 can be a suitable portion of first output 202determined to satisfy a comfort setting criterion and/or a set pointcriterion of structure 301 or a given high priority zone 506. In otherwords, high priority zones 506 can get normal treatment (e.g., the sameor similar as if no load up event occurred).

Flow management component 122 can further determine one or more excessflow path configured to transport, via ventilation system 126, excessoutput 506 to a one or more low priority zone(s) 510. Low priority zones510 can be zones 302 that were assigned a low priority value,characterized as being less than a defined threshold. Excess output 508can be the remainder of first output 202 not transported to highpriority zones 506 (e.g., excess output 508 can equal first output 202minus normal output 504). In some embodiments, individual portions ofexcess output 508 can be provided to low priority zones 510 inaccordance with priority values (e.g., lower values can receive a largerportion of excess output 508).

When resource provider 104 requests system 500 to decrease consumptionof resource 112 or shed load, system 500 (e.g., control component 116)can respond by instructing resource consumption device 108 load shed512. As with load up 502, load shed 512 can be a special case of updateconsumption request 118 in which recommended value 114 is lower thanprevious value 120. In that case first output 202 can be lower thansecond output 204 that was being provided by resource consumption device108 when operating according to previous value 120.

System 500 (e.g., flow management component 122) can further determineflow data 124. In this case, such is represented by shed flow data 124₂. For example, flow management component 122 can determine one or morepriority flow path(s) configured to transport, via ventilation system126, priority output 514 to a one or more high priority zone(s) 506.Given that an objective can be to reduce discomfort for occupants inhigh priority zones 506, priority output 514 can essentially takepriority of all of first output 202.

Priority output 514 can be a suitable portion of first output 202determined to satisfy a comfort setting criterion and/or a set pointcriterion of structure 301 or a given high priority zone 506. In otherwords, high priority zones 506 can get normal treatment (e.g., the sameor similar as if no load up event occurred) if there is enough capacity.Thus, if first output 202 is sufficient to satisfy a set point criterionof high priority zones 506, then priority output 514 can besubstantially similar to normal output 504. If first output 202 is notsufficient to satisfy a set point criterion of high priority zones 506,then priority output 514 can be equal to first output 202, leaving notremainder to route to low priority zones 510. In some embodiments,priority output 514 can be allocated to individual high priority zones506 in order of priority values.

In response to first output 202 being determined to be sufficient tosatisfy the set point criterion of high priority zones 506, flowmanagement component 122 can further determine one or more diminishedflow path(s) configured to transport, via ventilation system 126,diminished output 516 to a one or more low priority zone(s) 510.Diminished output 516 can be the remainder, if any, of first output 202not transported to high priority zones 506 (e.g., diminished output 516can equal first output 202 minus priority output 514). In someembodiments, individual portions of diminished output 516 can beprovided to low priority zones 510 in accordance with priority values(e.g., lower values can receive a larger portion of diminished output516).

Turning now to FIG. 6, a block diagram of system 600 is depicted. System600 illustrates an example of adjusting recommended value 114 based on asufficiency determination in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. System 600 can include all or portions ofsystem 500, or other components or elements detailed herein.

In addition, system 600 can include adjustment component 602. Adjustmentcomponent 602 can be configured to determine adjustment 604. Adjustment604 can represent an adjustment to recommended value 114 based onwhether first output 202 is determined to be sufficient to satisfy theset point criterion of the high priority zones 506. Such a determinationcan be performed by system 500, and is depicted as sufficiencydetermination 606.

In some embodiments, sufficiency determination 606 can include anindication of whether first output 202 is sufficient. To give anexample, consider the case in which resource provider 104 requests aload shed. If sufficiency determination 606 indicates first output 202is insufficient to maintain a defined comfort level in the high priorityzones, then satisfying the request of the resource provider 104 mayresult in discomfort for occupants in high priority zones.

In response, adjustment 604 can modify recommended value 114 by anamount that is determined to be threshold sufficient for an updatedfirst output 202U to be sufficient to satisfy the defined comfort level(e.g., a set point criterion) of high priority zones 506. For example,suppose resource provider requests that consumption of resource 112 bereduced by 65%, while it is determined that reducing consumption ofresource 112 by any more than 50% will result in a first output 202 thatcannot fully satisfy the defined comfort level. In that case, 50% canrepresent the threshold to be threshold sufficient for updated firstoutput 202U to satisfy the defined comfort level. Hence, adjustmentcomponent 602 can change the recommended value 114 from a valueindicative of the 65% reduction requested by resource provider 104 to avalue indicative of the threshold sufficiency (e.g., 50% of capacity).In this case, the request of resource provider 104 is not fully met, buta substantial contribution was made, which may be nearly as helpful toresource provider 104. In fact, the resource provider might prefertaking a 50% reduction over the requested 65% reduction if thecustomer's comfort is more likely to be satisfied because such can go along way to encourage comfort-oriented customers to enroll in demandresponse programs. It is appreciated that, in some embodiments, system500 can estimate sufficiency determination 606 in response to receivingthe request to reduce consumption of resource 112 by 65% in advance ofupdating recommended value 114.

On the other hand, if first output 202 is determined to be sufficient,then sufficiency determination 606 can indicate whether first output 202is more than sufficient. For example, suppose a reverse of the abovescenario, one where resource provider 104 requests a reduction of 50%,while system 500 determines that resource consumption device 108 canreduce consumption of resource 112 by 65% and still sustain the comfortlevel of high priority zones 506. In that case, adjustment 604 canadjust recommended value 114 by an amount that is determined to bethreshold sufficient for updated first output 202U to satisfy thecomfort level. In other words, adjustment 604 can facilitate reducingconsumption by 65%, since a 50% change (requested by resource provider104) left a remainder (e.g., nonzero diminished output 516) to bedistributed to low priority zones 510, which is not strictly necessary.

Determining that first output is more than sufficient can also be usefulin the context of a load up event 206. For example, even though resourceprovider 104 requests, e.g., a 50% increase in capacity, adjustmentcomponent 602 can increase that recommendation to 65% (or 100%) toconsume more of the resource. Recall, excess output 508 can be routed tolow priority zones 510, without substantially affecting high priorityzones 506 or comfort levels of occupants therein.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A-B, various block diagrams 700A-B of examplearchitectural implementations are illustrated in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

For example, block diagram 700A depicts an example architectural designin which all or portions of system 100 (or other components detailedherein) are remote from HVAC system 110. For example, all or portions ofsystem 100, 500, etc., can be implemented on a computing device (e.g.,general purpose or special purpose HVAC interface equipment, a PC,laptop, tablet, phone, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, blockdiagram 700B depicts an example architectural design in which all orportions of system 100 (or other components detailed herein) are includein or operatively coupled to HVAC system 110.

Example Methods

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate various methodologies in accordance with thedisclosed subject matter. While, for purposes of simplicity ofexplanation, the methodologies are shown and described as a series ofacts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the disclosed subjectmatter is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts can occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown anddescribed herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understandand appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented asa series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram.Moreover, not all illustrated acts can be required to implement amethodology in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.Additionally, it should be further appreciated that the methodologiesdisclosed hereinafter and throughout this specification are capable ofbeing stored on an article of manufacture to facilitate transporting andtransferring such methodologies to computers.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram 800 of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method that can determine a flow path of resourceconsumption device output that reduces discomfort of occupants inresponse to a demand response request from a resource provider inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.For example, at reference numeral 802, a device (e.g., system 100,system 500) operatively coupled to a processor can receive demandresponse data comprising a request that a resource consumption device ofan HVAC system modify consumption of a resource according to arecommended setting requested by a resource provider entity. In someembodiments, the resource provider entity can request an increase inconsumption of the resource (e.g., a load up event). In someembodiments, the request can be a request to decrease consumption of theresource (e.g., a load shed event).

At reference numeral 804, the device can instruct the resourceconsumption device to update consumption of the resource from a previoussetting to the recommended setting. In response to the update changingfrom the previous setting to the recommended setting, an output orestimated output of the resource consumption device can change as well.

At reference numeral 806, the device can determine change datarepresentative of a change in output provided by the resourceconsumption device in response to changing consumption of the resourceto the recommended setting. At reference numeral 808, the device candetermine zone data representative of physical zones of a structureserviced by the HVAC system. At reference numeral 810, the device candetermine priority data representative of priority values assigned torespective physical zones of the structure.

At reference numeral 810, the device can update a configuration of aventilation system of the HVAC system based on flow data indicative of aflow path for the output, wherein the flow data is determined based onthe change data, the zone data, and the priority data.

Turning now to FIG. 9, illustrated is a flow diagram 900 of an example,non-limiting computer-implemented method that can provide for additionalaspects or elements in connection with determining the flow path ofresource consumption device output in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosed subject matter. For example, at referencenumeral 902, the determining the priority (e.g., performed at referencenumeral 808 of FIG. 8) can comprise determining the priority data inresponse to input received from a sensing device that is configured todetermine whether a zone of the physical zones is occupied. For example,occupancy sensors of a suitable type can provide information, which canbe employed to assign priority to zones. In that regard, zones with nooccupants can be assigned low priority and zones with occupants can beassigned a high priority.

At reference numeral 904, the device update recommended setting,resulting in a new setting for an amount of the resource to consume,wherein the updating is in response to various determinations. Forexample, the updating can be in response to a first determination thatthe output of resource consumption device configured according to therecommended setting is not sufficient to satisfy a defined comfort levelof a high priority zone. Additionally or alternatively, the update canbe in response to a second determination that the new setting willresult in the output being sufficient to satisfy the defined comfortlevel of the high priority zone.

At reference numeral 906, the device can update recommended setting,resulting in a new setting for an amount of the resource to consume,wherein the updating is in response to other determinations. Forinstance, the updating can be in response to a third determination thatthe output of resource consumption device configured according to therecommended setting is more than sufficient to satisfy a defined comfortlevel of a high priority zone. Additionally or alternatively, the updatecan be in response to a fourth determination that the new setting willresult in a greater contribution toward meeting an objective of theresource provider entity.

Example Operating Environments

The present invention can be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product can include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium can be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network can comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention can be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions can executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) can execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions can be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionscan also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions can also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks can occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks cansometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

In connection with FIG. 10, the systems and processes described belowcan be embodied within hardware, such as a single integrated circuit(IC) chip, multiple ICs, an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or the like. Further, the order in which some or all of theprocess blocks appear in each process should not be deemed limiting.Rather, it should be understood that some of the process blocks can beexecuted in a variety of orders, not all of which can be explicitlyillustrated herein.

With reference to FIG. 10, an example environment 1000 for implementingvarious aspects of the claimed subject matter includes a computer 1002.The computer 1002 includes a processing unit 1004, a system memory 1006,a codec 1035, and a system bus 1008. The system bus 1008 couples systemcomponents including, but not limited to, the system memory 1006 to theprocessing unit 1004. The processing unit 1004 can be any of variousavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessorarchitectures also can be employed as the processing unit 1004.

The system bus 1008 can be any of several types of bus structure(s)including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus orexternal bus, or a local bus using any variety of available busarchitectures including, but not limited to, Industrial StandardArchitecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA(EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB),Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Card Bus, Universal Serial Bus(USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association bus (PCMCIA), Firewire (IEEE 1394), and SmallComputer Systems Interface (SCSI).

The system memory 1006 includes volatile memory 1010 and non-volatilememory 1012, which can employ one or more of the disclosed memoryarchitectures, in various embodiments. The basic input/output system(BIOS), containing the basic routines to transfer information betweenelements within the computer 1002, such as during start-up, is stored innon-volatile memory 1012. In addition, according to present innovations,codec 1035 can include at least one of an encoder or decoder, whereinthe at least one of an encoder or decoder can consist of hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. Although, codec1035 is depicted as a separate component, codec 1035 can be containedwithin non-volatile memory 1012. By way of illustration, and notlimitation, non-volatile memory 1012 can include read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), Flash memory, 3D Flashmemory, or resistive memory such as resistive random access memory(RRAM). Non-volatile memory 1012 can employ one or more of the disclosedmemory devices, in at least some embodiments. Moreover, non-volatilememory 1012 can be computer memory (e.g., physically integrated withcomputer 1002 or a mainboard thereof), or removable memory. Examples ofsuitable removable memory with which disclosed embodiments can beimplemented can include a secure digital (SD) card, a compact Flash (CF)card, a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick, or the like. Volatilememory 1010 includes random access memory (RAM), which acts as externalcache memory, and can also employ one or more disclosed memory devicesin various embodiments. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAMis available in many forms such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM(DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM),and enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM) and so forth.

Computer 1002 can also include removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage medium. FIG. 10 illustrates, forexample, disk storage 1014. Disk storage 1014 includes, but is notlimited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, solid state disk (SSD),flash memory card, or memory stick. In addition, disk storage 1014 caninclude storage medium separately or in combination with other storagemedium including, but not limited to, an optical disk drive such as acompact disk ROM device (CD-ROM), CD recordable drive (CD-R Drive), CDrewritable drive (CD-RW Drive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive(DVD-ROM). To facilitate connection of the disk storage devices 1014 tothe system bus 1008, a removable or non-removable interface is typicallyused, such as interface 1016. It is appreciated that storage devices1014 can store information related to a user. Such information might bestored at or provided to a server or to an application running on a userdevice. In one embodiment, the user can be notified (e.g., by way ofoutput device(s) (1036) of the types of information that are stored todisk storage 1014 or transmitted to the server or application. The usercan be provided the opportunity to opt-in or opt-out of having suchinformation collected or shared with the server or application (e.g., byway of input from input device(s) 1028).

It is to be appreciated that FIG. 10 describes software that acts as anintermediary between users and the basic computer resources described inthe suitable operating environment 1000. Such software includes anoperating system 1018. Operating system 1018, which can be stored ondisk storage 1014, acts to control and allocate resources of thecomputer system 1002. Applications 1020 take advantage of the managementof resources by operating system 1018 through program modules 1024, andprogram data 1026, such as the boot/shutdown transaction table and thelike, stored either in system memory 1006 or on disk storage 1014. It isto be appreciated that the claimed subject matter can be implementedwith various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user enters commands or information into the computer 1002 throughinput device(s) 1028. Input devices 1028 include, but are not limitedto, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad,keyboard, microphone, joystick, or game pad; a satellite dish, ascanner, a TV tuner card, a digital camera, a digital video camera, aweb camera, and the like. These and other input devices connect to theprocessing unit 1004 through the system bus 1008 via interface port(s)1030. Interface port(s) 1030 include, for example, a serial port, aparallel port, a game port, and a universal serial bus (USB). Outputdevice(s) 1036 use some of the same type of ports as input device(s)1028. Thus, for example, a USB port can be used to provide input tocomputer 1002 and to output information from computer 1002 to an outputdevice 1036. Output adapter 1034 is provided to illustrate that thereare some output devices 1036 like monitors, speakers, and printers,among other output devices 1036, which require special adapters. Theoutput adapters 1034 include, by way of illustration and not limitation,video and sound cards that provide a means of connection between theoutput device 1036 and the system bus 1008. It should be noted thatother devices or systems of devices provide both input and outputcapabilities such as remote computer(s) 1038.

Computer 1002 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)1038. The remote computer(s) 1038 can be a personal computer, a server,a router, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance,a peer device, a smart phone, a tablet, or other network node, andtypically includes many of the elements described relative to computer1002. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 1040 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 1038. Remote computer(s) 1038 islogically connected to computer 1002 through a network interface 1042and then connected via communication connection(s) 1044. Networkinterface 1042 encompasses wire or wireless communication networks suchas local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN) and cellularnetworks. LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface(FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet, Token Ringand the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to,point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packetswitching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

Communication connection(s) 1044 refers to the hardware/softwareemployed to connect the network interface 1042 to the bus 1008. Whilecommunication connection 1044 is shown for illustrative clarity insidecomputer 1002, it can also be external to computer 1002. Thehardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface 1042includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and externaltechnologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems,cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and wired and wirelessEthernet cards, hubs, and routers.

While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program product thatruns on a computer and/or computers, those skilled in the art willrecognize that this disclosure also can or can be implemented incombination with other program modules. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. thatperform particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract datatypes. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theinventive computer-implemented methods can be practiced with othercomputer system configurations, including single-processor ormultiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframecomputers, as well as computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA,phone), microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrialelectronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be practicedin distributed computing environments where tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. However, some, if not all aspects of this disclosure can bepracticed on stand-alone computers. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules can be located in both local and remotememory storage devices.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “system,”“platform,” “interface,” and the like, can refer to and/or can include acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational machinewith one or more specific functionalities. The entities disclosed hereincan be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software,software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, butis not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor,an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer. By way of illustration, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components canreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component canbe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In another example, respective components can execute fromvarious computer readable media having various data structures storedthereon. The components can communicate via local and/or remoteprocesses such as in accordance with a signal having one or more datapackets (e.g., data from one component interacting with anothercomponent in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a networksuch as the Internet with other systems via the signal). As anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus with specific functionalityprovided by mechanical parts operated by electric or electroniccircuitry, which is operated by a software or firmware applicationexecuted by a processor. In such a case, the processor can be internalor external to the apparatus and can execute at least a part of thesoftware or firmware application. As yet another example, a componentcan be an apparatus that provides specific functionality throughelectronic components without mechanical parts, wherein the electroniccomponents can include a processor or other means to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. In an aspect, a component can emulate anelectronic component via a virtual machine, e.g., within a cloudcomputing system.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form. As used herein, the terms “example”and/or “exemplary” are utilized to mean serving as an example, instance,or illustration and are intended to be non-limiting. For the avoidanceof doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by suchexamples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as an“example” and/or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meantto preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

As it is employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Further, processors can exploit nano-scalearchitectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dotbased transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usageor enhance performance of user equipment. A processor can also beimplemented as a combination of computing processing units. In thisdisclosure, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “data store,” datastorage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storagecomponent relevant to operation and functionality of a component areutilized to refer to “memory components,” entities embodied in a“memory,” or components comprising a memory. It is to be appreciatedthat memory and/or memory components described herein can be eithervolatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory. By way of illustration, and not limitation,nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM(PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM(EEPROM), flash memory, or nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) (e.g.,ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM). Volatile memory can include RAM, which canact as external cache memory, for example. By way of illustration andnot limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM),direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM), direct Rambus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), andRambus dynamic RAM (RDRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memorycomponents of systems or computer-implemented methods herein areintended to include, without being limited to including, these and anyother suitable types of memory.

What has been described above include mere examples of systems andcomputer-implemented methods. It is, of course, not possible to describeevery conceivable combination of components or computer-implementedmethods for purposes of describing this disclosure, but one of ordinaryskill in the art can recognize that many further combinations andpermutations of this disclosure are possible. Furthermore, to the extentthat the terms “includes,” “has,” “possesses,” and the like are used inthe detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms areintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim. The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presentedfor purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variationswill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminologyused herein was chosen to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application or technical improvement overtechnologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a processor; a memory that stores instructions; the instructions being executable by the processor to: receive, from a resource provider, demand response data comprising a request that a resource consumption device of a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system modify consumption of a resource according to a recommended value; instruct the resource consumption device to update consumption of the resource from a previous value to the recommended value; determine flow data indicative of a flow path of a ventilation system of the HVAC system, wherein the flow path is determined as a function of: change data representative of a change in output provided by the resource consumption device in response to changing consumption of the resource to the recommended value; zone data representative of physical zones of a structure serviced by the HVAC system; and priority data representative of priority values assigned to respective physical zones of the structure; wherein the change data is representative of a difference between a first output and a second output, wherein the first output is representative of the output provided by the resource consumption device when consuming the resource according to the recommended value, and wherein the second output is representative of the output provided by the resource consumption device when consuming the resource according to the previous value; determine a normal flow path configured to transport, via the ventilation system, a normal output to a first group of the physical zones that were assigned a priority value that is greater than a defined threshold, wherein the normal output is determined to satisfy a set point criterion of the first group; determine an excess flow path configured to transport, via the ventilation system, an excess output to a second group of the physical zones that were assigned a priority value that is less than the defined threshold, wherein the excess output is representative of a difference between the first output and the normal output; update a configuration of a ventilation system of the HVAC system based on the normal flow path and/or the excess flow path.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the demand response data is indicative of a load up event characterized by the request indicating the resource consumption device is to increase consumption of the resource.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the demand response data is indicative of a load shed event characterized by the request indicating the resource consumption device is to decrease consumption of the resource.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to determine a priority flow path configured to transport, via the ventilation system, a priority output to a first group of the physical zones that were assigned a priority value that is greater than a defined threshold, and wherein: the priority output is a sufficient portion of the first output that is determined to be sufficient to satisfy a set point criterion of the first group; or the priority output equals the first output in response to the first output being insufficient to satisfy a set point criterion of the first group.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein: in response to the first output being determined to be sufficient to satisfy the set point criterion of the first group, the processor determines a diminished flow path configured to transport, via the ventilation system, diminished output to a second group of the physical zones that were assigned a priority value that is less than the defined threshold, wherein the diminished output is representative of a difference between the first output and the priority output or in response to the first output being determined to be insufficient to satisfy the set point criterion of the first group, the processor configures the priority flow to satisfy the set point criterion of individual zones of the first group according to respective priority values.
 6. The system of claim 4, further comprising an adjustment component configured to adjust the recommended value based on whether the first output is determined to be sufficient to satisfy the set point criterion of the first group.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein: in response to the first output being determined to be insufficient to satisfy the set point criterion of the first group, the adjustment component adjusts the recommended value by an amount that is determined to be threshold sufficient for the first output to satisfy the set point criterion of the first group; or in response to the first output being determined to be more than sufficient to satisfy the set point criterion of the first group, the adjustment component adjusts the recommended value by an amount that is determined to be threshold sufficient for the first output to satisfy the set point criterion of the first group.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a priority component configured to generate the priority data.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein: the priority component generates the priority data in response to input to a user interface device; or the priority component generates the priority data in response to occupancy data determined in response to a signal generated by a sensing device configured to detect presence of occupants of the structure.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor effectuates the flow path in response to: transmitting a second instruction to a subsystem of the HVAC system to modify operation of the of the subsystem in accordance with the flow data; or transmitting a first instruction to a damper device situated in the ventilation system, wherein the first instruction instructs the damper device to change state in accordance with the flow data.
 11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receiving demand response data comprising a request that a resource consumption device of a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system modify consumption of a resource according to a recommended value; instructing the resource consumption device to update consumption of the resource from a previous value to the recommended value; determining change data representative of a change in output provided by the resource consumption device in response to changing consumption of the resource to the recommended value; wherein the change data is representative of a difference between a first output and a second output, wherein the first output is representative of the output provided by the resource consumption device when consuming the resource according to the recommended value, and wherein the second output is representative of the output provided by the resource consumption device when consuming the resource according to the previous value; determining zone data representative of physical zones of a structure serviced by the HVAC system; determining priority data representative of priority values assigned to respective physical zones of the structure; determining a normal flow path configured to transport, via the ventilation system, a normal output to a first group of the physical zones that were assigned a priority value that is greater than a defined threshold, wherein the normal output is determined to satisfy a set point criterion of the first group; determining an excess flow path configured to transport, via the ventilation system, an excess output to a second group of the physical zones that were assigned a priority value that is less than the defined threshold, wherein the excess output is representative of a difference between the first output and the normal output; and updating a configuration of a ventilation system of the HVAC system based on the normal flow path and/or the excess flow path.
 12. A method, comprising: receiving, by a device comprising a processor, demand response data comprising a request that a resource consumption device of a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system modify consumption of a resource according to a recommended setting requested by a resource provider entity; instructing, by the device, the resource consumption device to update consumption of the resource from a previous setting to the recommended setting; determining, by the processor, change data representative of a change in output provided by the resource consumption device in response to changing consumption of the resource to the recommended setting; wherein the change data is representative of a difference between a first output and a second output, wherein the first output is representative of the output provided by the resource consumption device when consuming the resource according to the recommended value, and wherein the second output is representative of the output provided by the resource consumption device when consuming the resource according to the previous value; determining, by the device, zone data representative of physical zones of a structure serviced by the HVAC system; determining, by the device, priority data representative of priority values assigned to respective physical zones of the structure; determining a normal flow path configured to transport, via the ventilation system, a normal output to a first group of the physical zones that were assigned a priority value that is greater than a defined threshold, wherein the normal output is determined to satisfy a set point criterion of the first group; determining an excess flow path configured to transport, via the ventilation system, an excess output to a second group of the physical zones that were assigned a priority value that is less than the defined threshold, wherein the excess output is representative of a difference between the first output and the normal output; and updating, by the device, a configuration of a ventilation system of the HVAC system based on the normal flow path and/or the excess flow path. 